January 2014 Recap

Dates: Jan 1-31, 2014

Miami Beach, FL – Bimini, Bahamas – New Providence – Exumas, Allens Cay, Norman’s Cay, Cambridge Cay, and Staniel Cay.

Sailing: 15 hrs

Motoring: 45 1/2 hrs (includes motor-sailing)

Mileage: 259 Nm (Nautical Miles)

Budget Amount:      $1590.00 US (All budgeting is in US funds)

Charts/Books:          $      0.00     

Boat Parts:               $     11.00     

Marinas:                   $  100.00

Diesel:                      $    88.00

Beer:                        $   156.00

Grocery:                   $  454.00

Entertainment:         $   147.00

Fees/Services:          $   167.00     (pump-outs, laundry, wifi, taxis, etc...)

Clothing/Shopping   $    53.00

Misc:                        $   117.00     (Propane, hobbies, etc...)

Total:                      $1293.00

Debit/Credit:           $  297.00

Yep that’s right, under budget. And, most of this was spent before we left Miami, in the way of provisioning. Then there was the $150 Bahamian entry fee, and the $79 for our Bahamian cell phone. However, as nice as it is to be under budget, there is no way this is going to make up for the overages on the way down. But at least it’s a positive. Mom always said, enjoy the small victories, they may be the only ones you get. Smart lady….

The Marina fees were for Bimini. The weather window for crossing the gulf-stream was really short, and there was a norther blowing in, so we stayed in the marina while it blew thru at 35+ knots. We knew when we left Miami that we were going to do it, but we had had enough of Miami Beach, and the next weather window wasn’t even in the forecast yet. What is the price of sanity?

Also, because we had so much food on the boat from the big provisioning in Miami, we didn’t need to spend much. We made it to the end of the month only purchasing some lettuce, carrots, and a case of beer. Since then we have loaded up on some fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, and cheese. But that didn’t happen until Feb.

So the purpose in January was to get to the Bahamas and start relaxing in the crystal clear water. Get away from the walmarts and superstores, the commercialism, and the dirty coastal waters. Of course we intended that for December, and it didn’t happen. We were a little more successful this time.

I think our biggest revelation this month, was that cruising is hell! Okay, more like a hell of a lot of work! As we talk to our fellow first time cruisers, we all come to the same conclusion, no one ever tells you how much work is involved with cruising. I remember all these stories from people out doing it, where upgrades and non-critical repairs take years, and I thought, holy crap these guys are lazy. In retrospect I realize that they never had the time to do any of them. One of the reasons I left the military was because I was tired of Band-Aid solutions. Running around putting out fires instead of preventing them. Guess what you do when your cruising. Or perhaps it’s more like our friend Scott says, whenever you do a project, you might miss something fun, and who wants to take that chance.

The social aspect of cruising is exhausting. There are so many great people, that there is not enough time to enjoy all their company. If you’re lucky you get to have a few that you keep close, but that leaves even less time for everyone else. I am pretty sure that I have mentioned it before, but it’s an issue that never seems to go away. One thing is for sure, it is devilishly hard to be lonely out here.

I know I have mentioned this before, but after spending three weeks in the Bahamas, the trip down “is” the purgatory that you have to get through to make it paradise. There are no beautiful old buildings, no groomed parks, or museums, but the natural beauty is enough to make all those inventions of man, seem like a waste of time. This point of view is obviously personal for each of us, but we know now that travelling down the eastern seaboard is only an end to a means, for us. Now that we have done it once, the next time will be easier, more expedient, and likely less of a pain in the arse. All we need to do now is learn how to get the most out of this island paradise.

That's it for this month. Next month I will try and do this again. The format may change a little as I go. If anyone reading the blog would like to see anything in particular, let me know, I may be able to squeeze it in, especially if it seems like good info to pass on.

Now back to your regular blogging........